Tom Cruise sees Digger Rockwell as a man who has far more power than good judgment. In a new interview about Digger, the actor described the story as one about greed and responsibility. Rockwell tries to present himself as the person who can save the world from a disaster he helped cause.
Cruise told ABC News that Rockwell keeps trying to control a situation that has already gone beyond him. His short description of the film was direct:
“This is a story about power, greed -- about responsible and being irresponsible.”
That is a useful way into an unusual role for the actor. The official synopsis calls Rockwell the world’s most powerful man. The trailers show Cruise in heavy makeup and strange clothes, but the interview points to the character’s decisions rather than his new look.
Cruise had been discussing the film for years
Cruise said he first heard about Digger eight years ago when he met director Alejandro G. Iñárritu. He remembers the meeting taking place on the same day filming began on Top Gun: Maverick. The project eventually came together after his long run in action films, including Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
The actor described that change of pace as a chance to keep learning. The movie is a dark comedy with a much less straightforward lead than Ethan Hunt: Rockwell has wealth and influence, but he is also responsible for the trouble he wants credit for fixing.
What his co-stars said
Riz Ahmed plays Ganesh opposite Cruise. Ahmed said the actor’s intense performance was intimidating when filming began. He also recalled Cruise’s relentless energy: after rehearsals, Cruise would continue preparing for a cold-water stunt on another project. Sandra Hüller said Cruise listened to other people’s ideas and kept the set playful as they worked through scenes together.
Who plays whom in Digger?
John Goodman was also part of the group interview. His account of Cruise’s work ethic was lighter, describing a set where being in a bad mood felt impossible. Those reactions are the cast’s own experiences, not proof that every viewer will like the film. The early screening reactions have already shown strong disagreement about its story and tone.
Digger opens in North American theaters and IMAX on October 2, with international openings starting September 30. Iñárritu directs a cast that also includes Goodman, Hüller, Ahmed, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jesse Plemons. The Digger movie page collects the confirmed cast and release details.
